Angers

The French word for detour is deviation, which sounds worse than ours.  We had deviations both in and out of Angers, but it was definitely worth the visit.
We had the impression of few houses but many flats and apartment blocks on our journey in.  We passed through a shopping street called Roi Rene, who was a King in Anjou during the 15th century.  We travelled along one street with narrow pavements that I remarked must feel a little claustrophobic to live on, which entered onto a big square with a very well used children's play area.  Eventually we arrived at the medieval castle at the centre of the city.
The castle is very impressive, but we did not have time to visit it and see the Apocalypse tapestry it houses.  I walked up past the entrance, and looked down on the wide sweep of the river Maine, which is what gives the castle is commanding defensive position.
What made the visit most enjoyable, was the castle moat, which was clearly deep in its time.  It is dry now, and the bottom has been planted with gardens, with ornate patterns of low hedges, giving a great perspective from the walk way above.
We found the tourist information office, I nearly bought a book about Roi Rene, (until I remembered it was in French, and I would struggle to appreciate it) and we used their toilets.  We did not find anywhere to buy an ice cream, but we did get the brightest weather we would see for the next couple of days.